Larson wins Dover fall race

Dover celebrated its 100th NASCAR race with the Drydene 400 Monster Energy Cup Series, the fourth race of the NASCAR playoffs and first race of the Round of 12. Kyle Larson took home the checkered flag, becoming the first driver to qualify for the Round of 8. Larson was strong all weekend, qualifying second for the race and recording the fastest 10 consecutive lap average of 157.752 mph during practice.

The start of the race was a nightmare for two playoff contenders. Joey Logano had to pull down pit road prior to the start to fix a rear axle issue. Logano would finish 34th, five laps down. Chase Elliott blew an engine only eight laps into the race, forcing the first caution and relegating Elliott to a last-place finish in 38th.

Playoff contender Denny Hamlin started on the pole and led 74 of the first 75 laps and 218 of the first 240 laps. He was seemingly poised to take the win. By Lap 100, Hamlin had an almost two-second lead and had lapped all but 13 of the other 37 cars in the race.

Larson only led three laps through the first two stages. New Jersey native Martin Truex Jr. finished second is Stage 1 and led the last 12 laps of Stage 2 to take the stage win followed by Larson, Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson.

Larson won the battle of pit road to start Stage 3 followed by Hamlin, Erik Jones, Harvick and Truex. By Lap 267, Larson had pulled away to a three-second leader over Hamlin, turning the tide for the race, and Hamlin expressed concerns about his engine to his crew. By Lap 287, Larson extended his lead to over four seconds. On Lap 295, the Top 5 were all playoff drivers. On Lap 296, Ryan Blaney complained of falling brakes and headed to the garage, ending his hopes for a win or good finish. With 98 laps to go, Larson was really flexing his muscle, extending his lead over Hamlin to over a five seconds. With 93 laps to go, Truex overtook Hamlin for second. With 82 laps to go, green flag pit stops began. Jones was penalized for speeding on pit road, ending his hopes for a race win. 

With 29 laps to go, Truex was closing in on Larson cutting the lead in half down to three seconds with only eight cars on the lead lap. Truex had some trouble passing lapped car impeding his chase of Larson. With 16 laps to go, Larson’s lead grew to over four seconds and he coasted to victory with Truex, Alex Bowman, Harvick, and Hamlin rounding out the Top 5.  The win was Larson’s sixth Cup Series win. Larson also earned a gold Monster Mile Trophy, celebrating Dover’s 50 years and 100 Cup Series races.

Next week, NASCAR heads to Talladega for what should be an exciting playoff race that always is unpredictable with everybody hoping to avoid The Big One. Buckle up race fans! Larson can breathe easier knowing he has already advanced. Bubble drivers that need a win or good finish include Logano, Clint Bowyer, Elliott and Ryan Blaney.

Custer wins his seventh race

Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, the Use Your Melon Drive Sober 200 presented by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, proved to be an exciting race captured by Cole Custer for his seventh victory of the season and first career Dover victory in his 100th Xfinity Series race. The race was the final race of the Round of 12, eliminating four drivers that would not move on to the Round of 8.

Lap 1 brought trouble for two playoff contenders when regular season champ Tyler Reddick and Harrison Burton wrecked on the back straightaway. Burton collected teammate and playoff contender Brandon Jones, ending his hopes. Burton’s car was lifted off the ground upon impact. Playoff contender Christopher Bell also ran into trouble on Lap 15. 

Weekend Festivities

The weekend also included many opportunities off the track for race fans, including performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, Micro Wrestling, the Monster Mile Youth Nation, Monster Energy Smoke Shows (including freestyle motor cross jumps), Budweiser Clydesdales, driver appearances, free driver autograph sessions, a free concert by Grand Funk Railroad and fireworks. NASCAR drivers are good with taking time for fans and on Saturday Denny Hamlin took some time to take pictures and sign autographs for some lucky young fans.